“One of the best ways to celebrate BC Drinking Water Week is by thinking globally and acting locally,” said Marc Rutten, the CVRD’s senior manager of engineering services. “You can act locally by valuing our water and understanding how to use it more sustainably. A great way to do that is to attend the community event to learn where your water comes from and to ask questions about this precious resource, our local infrastructure, and also about opportunities to take advantage of the 2013 water rebate programs.”

The CVRD also encourages people to go online and take the “Community Water Challenge”, a province-wide contest that asks people to pledge online to make simple changes in their daily water habits. Those who make a pledge are entered in a draw for a water-themed getaway courtesy of the Fairmount Waterfront and Helijet, and also receive 10 per cent off water efficient fixtures from Splashes Kitchen & Bath Centres across BC. Take the challenge at www.drinkingwaterweek.org/challenge .

For more information about the CVRD’s BC Drinking Water Week community event and activities, visit www.comoxvalleyrd.ca/water.
The Comox Valley Regional District is a federation of three electoral areas and three municipalities providing sustainable services for residents and visitors to the area. The members of the regional district work collaboratively on services for the benefit of the diverse urban and rural areas of the Comox Valley.

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“It’s time to get strategic in how we work with others who are are working for a more socially just, sustainable future,” says Elaine Codling, Steering Committee member of TTCV. “There is such a richness of professional and committed activism in the Valley. We know there is plenty of opportunity for collaborating on mutual goals and activities.”

Transition Towns are guided by the grandiose mission of preparing communities for the unprecedented challenges ahead of a world of increasing energy costs, environmental degradation, including Climate Change, and global economic instability. While the movement is global with hundreds of ‘towns’ or initiatives cropping up in nations all over the world, the philosophy and approach to a successful transition is firmly rooted in the realities of a given place. Re-localization of economy, community life and public decision-making are therefore key to the movement, all of which depend on the ideas and participation of local residents. The movement contains guidelines to approaching community (un)sustainability issues comprehensively. These guidelines are being implemented and tested around the world, providing for a cross-community learning experience.

“Over the past two years TTCV has provided monthly meetups for the public to attend, learn and discuss how transition concepts can be applied locally,” says Nancy Hofer, another Steering Committee member. “Our first year focused on visioning and ‘data collection’ from the community. Our second year highlighted local talents in transition areas such as food, economy, housing and emergency preparedness. Now is the time to take what we’ve learned and use it to provide some strategic direction not only for TTCV, but the whole valley.”

The meeting will provide a re-cap on the data that has been collected and an update on practical projects that have emerged including opportunities for feedback on the development of a valley-wide Timebank. The majority of the meeting, however, will be aimed at a ‘townhall’ style dialogue on the future goals and deliverables for the group, including how to work more with similarly minded groups.

“We recognize that we have a very diverse membership of individuals some of which are interested in strategizing and planning, others are more ‘hands on’ and want to get the projects underway, and others still want to focus on outreach and communications,” continues Codling. “This isn’t surprising given the comprehensive mandate of Transition Towns. We’ve seen local leaders like the Comox Valley Conservation Strategy and the recently formed Food Round Table convene diverse interests to create focused outcomes whether they be on the planning end or resulting in tangible actions. This is what we’ll be discussing for Transition Town Comox Valley.”

For more information on TTCV visit www.transitiontowncv.org or call 898 9045. A $3 donation is suggested to cover the cost of the venue. Bring mugs for tea and coffee.

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Those six pieces are two poems:

Resting Place by Harvey Jenkins of Nanaimo
Springtime in a Counsellors Burrow  by Janet Beggs of Comox

and four short stories:

Death by Meteorite by Judy Miller of Nanaimo
Echolalia by Caroline Woodward of Nootka Light Station
Which Way Does She Lean by Frank Mottl of Campbell River
Worm Picker’s Confession by Derek Hanebury of Courtenay

The judges had some hard choices to pare the nineteen entries down to six. As Kim Bannerman-Piggot , a talented novelist herself said “There are some amazing stories and poems here. Remarkable imagery, heartwrenching plots and engaging characters….it was NOT an easy task to choose only six.” One of our judges a great local writer and humourist Harold Macy had such a hard time choosing he took an extra three days to make up his mind. The well thought of Comox Valley poet Carol Neufeld stated “I am grateful for not having to say who is ‘best’”

Deciding the best will be up to you on May 23. The event is free and starts at 7PM. The six entries will be read by either the author or a surrogate and then ballots will be handed out. Prizes are worth $600. We will also will be have a chapbook of the six entries on sale for $3. So come and see what some of the best Vancouver Island writers have to offer.

The next night , Friday May 24th we switch to Tintown and the Rewind Coffeehouse where Words and Songs , now in it’s fourth year will be happening. It is an open mic set up so if you are a writer, a musician or a poet or a reader and you want to show your stuff before a warm and appreciative audience in an  hip atmospheric setting of a coffeehouse, come on down, Every year there is a suprise or a startling talent uncovered . Two years ago a young man came in , dropped his backback on the floor and gave an absolutely stunning spoken word performance. Turns out he had just got back from a two month walkabout on the west coast of Vancouver Island. But you don’t need to go on a walkabout to appear, just bring your words, your voice and an instrument if you have one and join in on the fun. Starting at 7PM with Steve Harvey as your genial host. Another free event form Mayworks

For more info call 250-334-3624

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Visitors can expect to find stunning new pottery by Gordon Hutchens’, recently fired in a Japanese anagama (or ‘climbing-hill-dragon’ kiln), whimsical drawings on functional vessels by Scott and Garnet Beardsley, intricately carved bowls by Sean Woods, ceramic bead necklaces by Marjo VanTooren, earthy pit-fired vases by Shirley Phillips, elegant platters by Tom Dennis, garden goddesses by Bentley LeBaron, innovative conceptual sculpture by Dante Ambriel, and much, much more! 

First time on the tour this year, Ambriel’s work will be showcased in the artist’s gallery on Golden Ring Ranch. Also the perfect place to sit back and absorb the island’s peaceful rural ambiance, visitors may also enjoy some of the homemade pie and other refreshments that will be available at this picturesque farm.

From colorful kitchen ware for daily use to one-of-a-kind sculptures for home or garden, you’re bound to be impressed by the truly amazing diversity of affordable clay creations skillfully crafted by Denman artisans. Free maps for the self-guided tour are available at the Buckley Bay ferry booth, and on island at the General Store, Abraxas Books, Denman Craft Shop, and the Island Arts Centre. Visit www.denmanpottery2013.blogspot.ca for a colorful sneak preview!

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Doors will open at 6:45 at Isfeld’s multipurpose room.  There is no charge for admission to this event, but a concession will be available.

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